British Columbia 06/14/13 hqprincegeorge.com: by Jeff Sargeant – The province is taking extra precautions to try to prevent a deadly deer disease from entering BC. Chronic Wasting Disease attacks the nervous system of deer, mule deer, moose, and elk and slowly kills them. It has been spreading throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta and the Ministry of Natural Resources is hoping it stays there. Kate Nelson is a provincial Wildlife Biologist and says it is very contagious. “The disease can be spread from animal to animal contact as well as animal contact with an infected carcass and animal contact with infected soil,” said Nelson. It is not dangerous to humans. But Nelson says humans are mostly to blame for the spread of the disease by taking intact carcasses long distances after a hunt. Carcasses are allowed to cross into BC but only as long as the internal organs and tissues have been removed. – See http://hqprincegeorge.com/news/local/news/v/Local/206752/Province-Warns-of-Spreading-Deer-Disease

Alabama 06/13/13 Chilton and Shelby counties: by Clarke Stackhouse – Three more raccoons infected with rabies have been found in Shelby County and the surrounding area, bringing the total to 13 this year. Dana Johnson, a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, based at the School of Forestry and Wildlife Services at Auburn University, said one raccoon was found in Chilton County a couple miles from the start of state route 22. Johnson said he found the raccoon after it had been run over about 2 weeks ago. He took it back to his lab and it tested positive for rabies. A homeowner in the town ofShelby called in the second raccoon. The raccoon was chasing the owner’s puppy, and then went on the front porch and wouldn’t leave, Johnson said. The homeowners killed the raccoon and called Johnson to pick it up for testing. During a routine surveillance, a third raccoon was captured near the Shelby County landfill in Columbiana. Both raccoons tested positive to rabies. – See http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2013/06/13/three-more-cases-of-rabies-found-in-columbiana-area/

Maryland 06/13/13 AlleganyCounty: A kitten that was taken to Allegany High School in Cumberland on May 20 has tested positive for rabies, according to the Allegany County Health Department. Anyone who had direct physical contact with the kitten is asked to call the health department at 301-759-5125. The gray, black and tan kitten was 2 to 3 weeks old when it was taken to the school from approximately 8 to 10:45 a.m. during an advanced placement government class. This timeframe corresponds with first through third periods of the school day. The kitten was confirmed to be rabid Tuesday, following a period of sickness. – See http://times-news.com/local/x182739711/Kitten-found-at-Allegany-High-tests-positive-for-rabies

North Carolina 06/13/13 Buncombe County: Health officials are seeking the public’s help in locating individuals who may have been exposed to a fox potentially infected with rabies. An injured juvenile fox was found by a motorist at the intersection of Sardis Road and Sand Hill Road in Asheville on June 3. It was taken from the site and transported to an unknown location. In that time, at least four people came in contact with the animal, including a child, Buncombe County Health and Human Services said. Officials have not been able to identify or locate two of those individuals, including the child. Though no bites were reported, contact with a wild fox still presents a risk of exposure to rabies, especially given that a fox from the same area recently tested positive for rabies, health officials said. – See http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20130613/NEWS/306130078/Buncombe-health-officials-warn-rabies-threat?nclick_check=1

Virginia 06/13/13 Chesapeake: A stray cat that a witness saw attacking a woman with dark hair in the parking lot of Burger King on S. Military Highway on June 6th has tested positive for rabies. Anyone who may have been bitten or scratched by this cat or who has pets that may have been bitten or scratched by this cat – or knows of any other possible exposures – should immediately notify the Chesapeake Health Department or Animal Control at 757-382-8080. – See http://wtkr.com/2013/06/13/cat-tests-positive-for-rabies-in-chesapeake/

Jerry Genesio

Author of "UNSEEN HAZARDS That Threaten Hunters, Campers, and Hikers: What you should know about pathogens commonly found in wildlife."

This is where wildlife and healthcare professionals, hunters, campers, hikers, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts will find interesting information about natural unseen hazards that place them at risk. As my book focused exclusively on Rabies, Tetanus (Lockjaw), Tularemia (Rabbit Fever), Brucellosis (Undulant Fever), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Borrelia (Lyme Disease), posts regarding these six diseases will be limited to more recent developments and items of interest that were not included or were not available when the book was published in June of 2009. Topics will also include Chronic Wasting Disease, West Nile Virus, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, and other diseases of particular interest to those who work and play in the great American outdoors.

Don’t Be Afraid – Be Aware!

The Natural Unseen Hazards blog is available to all free of charge and is maintained as a public service.

If you have questions related to pathogens commonly found in wildlife, e.g. the disease caused by a specific pathogen, hosts, vectors, symptoms, treatment, territorial range, etc., please comment here or e-mail to jerrygenesio@gmail.com and I will attempt to provide answers.

"Chance favors the prepared mind."
Louis Pasteur

Unless otherwise noted, images have been provided by the CDC Public Health Image Library, Wikimedia Commons, the National Park Service or other government agencies, Bing.com, and/or Google.com.

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less."
Marie Curie

"It's better to look ahead and prepare, than to look back and regret."
Jackie Joyner Kersee